Groundwork East Durham was established to help deal with the aftermath of the recently departed coal industry. Led by Graeme McLearie Initial priorities concerned landscape and employment
From a small team‌.
The West Durham team in 1992
To a large workforce based in 18 different locations across the North East
Starlab
“Star Lab was my first project - I got the job on the Friday and walked in on the Monday to be given the star lab in a very large box and told I had ten schools booked in for the week! It was Wednesday before I realised I was using the southern hemisphere drum.� - Julie Form, Durham & Cumbria Manager
Richard Branson helps Groundwork celebrate success
Confirm date
Groundwork West Durham was established
Groundwork South Tyneside established
1991/2 Bantling Lime Kilns was Kate’s first project. It ran from 1991 - 2011
Seaham Green Scheme
Spring into the Countryside
The Eco centre in South Tyneside opened. It was the first sustainable building to be built in the North East and remains one of Europe’s most sustainable buildings
Getting schools into recycling with the national project ‘Ollie Recycles’
Tony Blair helps the Esso Greenlink Project celebrate 10 years of partnership with Groundwork
Before
Seaham Promenade
After
Seaham Promenade
was a “ Groundwork partner of choice bringing skills and experience of integration and delivery - Niall Benson Heritage Coast Officer
�
Groundwork helped create 10 Millenium Greens across the North East
1999/2000 Craghead Millennium Green
MP Derek Foster opens one of Groundwork’s Millennium Greens
Various Intermediate Labour Market’s (ILMs) were set up across the North East.
Crimdon Dene landscape project
Groundwork was established in Middlesbrough with Chris Watson at the helm.
Go Wild
The Acorn Trust merged with Groundwork
Hackworth Park – a major Heritage Lottery Fund project
Groundwork grows further into new areas: Darlington, Hartlepool, Newcastle, Redcar, and Sunderland
The Saltburn Office opening
The Darlington Office
Before
Grade 1 listed building, Tithe Barn in Easington is renovated and re-opened to be used as offices
After
Coatham mural
2005
Established the Greenhouse Trading Company
Groundwork Northumberland established
The Greenhouse is built, providing office space as well as high quality conference and meeting facilities. It is the first commercial eco building in Durham.
The Greenhouse development: Before
Willington Doorstep Green, Leazes Park Play Area
Marske Village Green
Saltburn Promenade
Gaunless Visitor Centre restoration: before
Gaunless Visitor Centre restoration: after
Bowburn Doorstep Green Groundwork won the County Durham Environment Award for this project
Tony Blair opened the new MUGA in Trimdon
Jamie Oliver visits Eden Hill Primary School
A Greenstart for the Eco-Tots
Groundwork covers the whole of the North East
Groundwork became the largest provider of the Future Jobs Fund Programme in the North East.
East Durham Employability Programme
The Sunderland office is renovated and opened
West Boldon Lodge Environmental Education Centre opened
The Motiv8 project kicks off offering alternative curriculum work targeted at year 10 and year 11 pupils.
The Work Programme began.
Darlington Play Service
Anneka Rice pays a visit to Groundwork in Sunderland
David Bellamy opens Pea Hill Park, a former colliery site redesigned to create a community park in Crook
Groundwork partners with Cadbury in the Spots v Stripes programme
One Trinity Green Business centre opened. Owned by South Tyneside Council and managed by Groundwork.
The Environmental Business Services Team trial Nissan Leaf electric car.
Blooming Well Allotments in Northumberland
Saltburn Valley Gardens wildspace improvements. Developed in partnership with Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council.
Give and Gain Day 2012
Butterwick Trees, a local tree nursery in Sedgefield became part of Groundwork NE & Cumbria
The Beacon Enterprise and Business Centre opened in Newcastle, developed by Groundwork South Tyneside and Centre West to inspire communities through enterprise
The Bistro in the Beacon, Newcastle
Darlington’s Mascot Adventure Trail
The first National Citizen Service programme is delivered in Gateshead.
It now runs twice a year, with over 100 young people attending the programme each year
July 2012 Groundwork moves into Cumbria and opens it’s first office in Cockermouth.
In partnership with local community organisation, Riversmeet, Groundwork brought the building back to life.
The Meet, Eat and Garden project is set up as part of the Green Activity programme in Sunderland.
Marsden Road Health and Wellbeing Centre, was officially opened by HRH Princess Ann
2014
The larger wind turbine at the Greenhouse was switched on and began generating power – an average of 200KW
The view from the top of the turbine
Groundwork took over the management of Lobley Hill Community Centre via it’s first Community Asset Transfer
North Tyneside’s Waste Awareness Campaign
ÂŁ3.7m was awarded to the River Tees Rediscovered Landscape
Groundwork working in partnership with Thirteen Group
Gazza came down to visit Gateshead Nursery and the volunteers on placement
The Big Local Central Jarrow Partnership established
National Play Day 2014
Coxhoe Pit Wheel miners memorial unveiling
Volunteering charity 2D merged with Groundwork NE & Cumbria
Groundwork NE & Cumbria won the Durham & Wearside Green Award at the North East Business Awards.
Fit Mamas in Darlington’s South Park
Darlington’s Rethinking Parks project.
Groundwork’s first car boot fun day
Hemlington Woodland enhanced as part of the Thirteen Group landscape contract
th 14
May 2015 The Bishop of Durham visited Gateshead Nursery and the Woodshed
Groundwork launches their CSR offer at Butterwick Nursery
The Wood Shed officially opens
Groundwork officially celebrates 30 years of working in the North East
CSR Day with Sage at Elba Park
Groundwork staff raised over £4,000 for Groundwork’s Community Chest by taking part in It’s a Knockout
Corporate guests are taken back to their childhood at National Play Day 2015
gwk woodshed and gwk nursery showcase at Durham Flower Show
Pegswood Family Fun Day
New branding is launched for the gwk enterprises
Augean plc join Groundwork on a CSR Challenge Day
Over 300 young people graduate from the NCS programme
‘Seeing is Believing’ Tour of gwk nursery & gwk woodshed